Hot Dang…We Got A Workamping Job!
There are days where everything just seems to come together. I LOVE those days and welcome them with open arms, especially after the somewhat personally difficult winter we went through. Maybe we’re due for some good Karma?
Well Sunday was one of those days and it’s created a rather big change of plans for us. You see we’ve been thinking about workamping for about a year. It’s something that’s been on our “list” for a while, but we are rather particular about what we want to do and plans never quite worked out. Our ultimate goal was some volunteer work, preferably outdoors and dealing with people, hopefully something historical, ideally along the coast, optimistically in a really nice location with a cute, nearby town (with restaurants, organic food, etc.), most definitely next to a dog-friendly beach, and finally somewhere not too far out of our driving plans. I know, I know it’s A LOT to ask, but we are an exacting lot and I’ve always believed in aiming high and letting the universe come back to you with an answer.
This summer we decided to try again. Now for some reason, even though we’ve been working on it for a while. we haven’t been able to make any summer plans past July. I can’t explain why. We must have looked at travel plans at least 20 times, but couldn’t bring ourselves to book anything past mid-July even though I know those are prime (and really full) months for camping. At the same time we’d put in our volunteer forms for the Oregon Coast just a few weeks ago, but really didn’t expect anything back. After all, most of the positions we wanted were filled and we were asking high stakes to work very particular jobs in the most popular summer months.
But sometimes the inexplicable happens and is simply a way of pointing you in the right direction…..
We waited a week on our applications with no answer, figuring we were most likely too late. Then late Sunday evening as we were nursing a glass of wine and still wondering what we were going to do in August, we got the unexpected call. “I’ve just had a cancellation for a lighthouse interpretive host position in Cape Blanco for July and August. Your application was the first one that came up. Would you guys be interested?”.
I’m heeere, says the universe!
As it so happens our travel plans had us scheduled to be in Cape Blanco for the beginning of July and we were going to max out 2 weeks there specifically because we’d heard so much about it. The State Park campground rates really well, nearby Port Orford is the oldest town on the coast (as well as being a cute artistic and vibrant town), and the lighthouse was going to be one of our trip highlights. We didn’t need to change anything to make this happen. Could this be ANY more ideal? “You bet, we’re interested!”
So folks, stars have aligned and Karma come full circle and it looks like we’re going to be interpretive hosts! It’ll be our very first workamping job and we’re going straight into the deep end at the very busiest time of the year, but it is exactly the position we were looking for and we are totally stoked!
I’m sure I’ll be writing a ton more about workamping as we go through this experience, but for now we’re just happy to be booked. Oh, and if you’re on the coast in July/Aug and coming by Cape Blanco do remember to stop and say “hi”. We’ll be the folks with “the beast” and the big smiles.
P.S. It’s interesting how things always seem to come in three’s. Just for fun I’ll relate two other incicents that happened to us over the week-end:
-> First is that we left our surge protector at our last campsite. This is a $400 piece of equipment and we were mortified when we discovered the loss. As luck would have it I’d befriended some RVers at the last campground and given them our card. Wouldn’t you believe they found the protector and sent us an e-mail offering to post it to us? RVers really ARE the nicest lot!
-> Second thing that happend is I’ve been looking for a new bike ever since my last one was stolen in San Diego in March. N0-one seemed to have the bike or size I was looking for, even here in Eugene. Well on a whim on Sunday I called a small shop on the OR coast to see what they could do. Not only can they get the bike, but they’re offering it on sale too. What a deal!
P.P.S. All above shots were taken at Armitage County Park in Eugene, OR
we were there you are going to love it…..and we met one of the volunteer couple at the lighthouse in Bullard SP(sp) who do one month there and one month at Cape Blanco..but sine I am having a senior moment I can not remember their name but they are SKPs and are on a list for a lot in Benson..small world…you will love it there…but be warned it gets very very windy there…you also will get a great parking spot only opened to volunteers…good job kids good job…
Yeah, the volunteer coordinator warned us about the wind. We figure we have good wind-training after our 2-month stay in New Mexico last year so we should be able to handle it. I noticed the separate camping area too. It’s a neat touch.
Nina
I am really happy for you folks! We got our very first NWR volunteer site the same way… been happily volunteering at NWRs ever since. Sounds like a great place and that you’ll have just the summer you wanted.
I’m kinda thinking that will be our path too. Once we start volunteering I could see us doing this to some extent every year.
Nina
Congrats. . .congrats. . .congrats. . .so happy for you guys!
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com
The stars really do seem to line up sometimes, don’t they? We are so thrilled for the two of you and look forward to seeing you at Cape Blanco. Until then, safe travels and have a fabulous time.
Definitely looking forward to meeting up again!
Nina
It was so nice to meet you guys in Ashland. What an inspiration you both are. Happy to hear you found just what you were looking for and that the stars lined up just right!
We were on a walk with our dogs last Thursday, when we came across your surge protector, we left it with our friends since they were staying another week.Glad you have been in contact with them.
I’ve sure enjoyed reading your blog, so much great information.
Hope to catch up with you guys sometime in the future.
Linda
Well you guys turned out to be our RV ANGELS!!! We were so very bummed when we realized we’d left the surge protector, and so very overjoyed when we got the e-mail that you guys had found it. It was lovely to meet you (and your gorgeous doggies) and I really do hope we get to meet again down the road!
Nina
That sounds like a really, really cool job. Loooove the Oregon Coast.
Yeah we had so much fun on the coast last year, we just had to come back.
Nina
Sounds fantastic guys!! Congrats! We just came through there on our way down to CA and it was wonderful. We’ll probably stop again on our way home this month. Port Orford (http://www.riveted-blog.com/2012/05/checking-out-port-orford-or.html) was great, and that lighthouse is very cool! (http://www.riveted-blog.com/2012/05/cape-blanco-lighthouse.html). Enjoy! And thanks for the great tips/review of Emigrant Lake…we’ll put that one on our list! -Laura
GORGEOUS shots you have in that blog. Cheers for posting the links. Really looking forward to staying in the area.
Nina
Good for you! Enjoy your summer at the lighthouse. My wife looked into the one at Seaside. Maybe some day. We were going to tour Oregon/Wa for the summer. Gas hit $5.19 while we spent the month in Borrego in Feb and we said, maybe we should reconsider summer plans. Soon after stumbled onto an opportunity to work for a co that manages NFS campgrounds. 15 sites, 10 miles down a dirt road, at 8000 feet, on an alpine lake, in the Sierras and get paid to do it! Been staying for free at another campgrnd waiting for the snow to melt so we can get in. Snowing on us at 6000 feet today. Life on he road sure can be great.
You guys got a SWEET deal on that workamping gig. Should be an awesome experience. Love the Sierra’s and certainly love that there’s only 15 sites there. Think we could fit “the beast” for a visit?
Nina
New at this blogging. I just added the comment @ getting our Dynasty into Meadow Lake at the end instead of hitting the reply button as I just figured out I should have. Sorry bout that.
We are at the Lakeside campground in the Tahoe NF just outside Truckee.
Ahhhhhh…I’m with you now! It’s the campground at the workamping job you picked up where I asked if you could fit “beast size”. Gotcha! Will be interested too see how it goes for you!
Nina
Update on our work camping gig. We got in last week. I took 2 hours to drive the 10 mile dirt road, and only had one real bad spot. Although I’ve been told others do it, I would not recommend it for less than two weeks. for the whole summer it is definitely worth it. The place is gorgeous, isolated, but with occasional visitors during the week, and guests for the weekend, so far! PCT nearby, as well as lots of wilderness hiking. Have seen 1 bear, 3 deer, and have an eagle hanging out across a little bay from us. If you wanted to see this area, I would recommend leaving the beast at one of the 5 NFS campgrounds at Jackson Meadow Resevoir and driving your toad in. This campground is located at the site of what was Summit City in the mid 1800’s. Only remnants are a sign and a cemetery.understand there is a fair bit of history here from the gold rush days.
Understand there is a big Jeep rally here early August, so that should be a blast!
Hope Paul’s back is 100% soon.
Cool Beans! Enjoy yourselves.
Oh, geez, it just couldn’t get any better! I loved Port Orford and Rich and I saw every lighthouse on the coast (except Terrible Tilly which we were able to see from the coast if there was no fog) and found all the volunteers to be delightful and knowledgeable. I couldn’t be happier for you. You are going to LOVE the coast. I’m envious, but very, very happy for you, Nina. Can’t wait to read your blogs about your adventure.
Thanks! We also LOVED all the lighthouses we saw on the N.Coast last year so very excited to see the southern coast. Looknig forward to it!
Nina
Very happy for you. Your blog about your new adventure exudes a renewed upbeat attitude. Good for you. Things work out.
Don
Cheers! I’m definitely feeling alot more upbeat.
Nina
Very Cool… We have thought ( not often of course) of trying workcamping….but ???? lol maybe someday. After 40 years of working ( if working for Harley Davidson is really work) I do enjoy my leisure days now…Enjoy yourselves and keep us all informed!!! We were at Yakima Lighthouse this past weekend… very cool….
Hey I totally understand 🙂 This is our first gig so I’ll be interested to see how it works out. Will definitely let you know how it goes!
Nina
WOW! That’s really something. I know you are going to love that and I can’t wait to read about it. Hope you are right about sunshine ALWAYS following the rain. I could sure use some over here. Would love to be off to what you are going to be doing. Sounds PERFECT and very exciting!!
It’s raining quite a bit here too!
Nina
I think you’ve made the “Transit of Venus accross the sun” look like a normal everyday happening compared to your good fortune!! Congratulations, and the job sounds too perfect!! Great for you.
LOL…I guess I totally missed the astronomical event…a good sign in the heavens perhaps?
Nina
Sounds just absolutely perfect for you both job and timing.
http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com
Cape Blanco…wow…that is so awesome. The stars must be aligned for you two.
We follow a blog…Damn Near Perfect Couple…http://dnpc.blogspot.com/. They will be in Humbug Mountain State Park all summer volunteering. Never met them but we have exchanged emails. The are from Ohio like us. They seem really nice. Hope you can meet up with them.
Oh excellent!! I’m going to have to look ’em up. That’s right around the corner from Cape Blanco.
Nina
The Port Orford area is our most favorite place on the Oregon Coast..how lucky that you are getting to play ‘host’ at Cape Blanco!..just read through some of the comments and the other bloggin’ couple that are hosting are Grant and Kathy..http://birdingrvers.com/
we hope you enjoy your stint..can’t wait to read all about it…wish we were heading down that way this summer but we have been there for the last three summers so it is time to see something new!!
Oh HOW FUN! Love it when blogging worlds collide like that. WIll check out their blog and send a note.
Nina
Wow!!! Congratulations on snagging the perfect job! We hope to travel out to the Oregon coast this summer.
Hope to see you here! Nina
We’ll definitely try to see you and YOUR lighthouse the first week in August on our way up the coast to Victoria and Vancouver Island. The Oregon coast and their lighthouses are so picturesque – as a fellow photographer you’ll be experiencing nirvana!
Oh Cool! Should be an awesome trip for you. Never been as far north as Vancouver so that’s on “the list” for our future too. See you later this summer!
Nina
that park is on my list as a potential week or so stay in July… maybe we will see yo uthere…
Excellent! Would love to meet up with you. Been following your blog for so long it’s almost like we know each other!
Nina
Nina and Paul, congrats for finding a new avenue in your travels! I think you two will enjoy a change of pace and enjoy Oregon at its best. So happy to see a sparkle in your notes. Look forward to hearing more and seeing more too!
I think Kathy and Grant from birdingrvers.com are the skps we met when we visited the lighthouse at ballards(or is it bullards SP)…really nice and very knowledgeable….they go between the two lighthouses…small world…
Fantastic.. and congrats! This seems like a sweet gig, and a lot of fun! I hope it turns out to be just as wonderful as you’re hoping.
(and I promise, I won’t tell my lighthouse obsessed mother – for I fear she’d change her name to Nina and snag the position out from under ya. 😉 ).
Thanks! I’m sure it’ll be all the mix of things a job usually is, but we’re encouraged by how professional and organized the OR volunteer coordinator has been. Really like the people we’ve talked to so far.
Nina
Exciting! Keep us posted on the workamping life and adventures. 🙂
Hi Paul and Nina,
I think you will be perfect lighthouse interpretive hosts. Bob and I are excited for you on your newest adventure. We have Cape Blanco on our itinterary for Aug. 22 – Aug 27. Looking forward to seeing you.
Kathie
Wonderful! We’ll look forward to seeing you again!
Nina
Hooray and hallelujah for you guys. Too bad we won’t be traveling the coast this year. Maybe you can repeat the assignment next year, and maybe we will go that way.
Well we may just have to come back so we can meet you guys! I think if we end up enjoying this as much as we expect to we’ll definitely do it again. The coast is a great place to volunteer.
Nina
Way cool guys! We hope to see you this summer at Cape Blanco if/when our house sells; we had some good action yesterday-the first day on the market. My daughter lives just NE of there in Roseburg and she will be our mail forwarding service…things are looking really bright right now!
Lisa and Hans
Hope the house sells fast. Great that you getting such good, early action on it. Do hope we get to cross paths in OR.
Nina
FANTASTIC! Good for you!
We/I just started following your blog and I read it to my wife every time it comes up in our e-mail. Yes we so envy you both. We live in Modesto Ca. and have a trip planed on the Oregon coast starting on the 19th of June. We will be staying at the Elks Lodge in Florance Or. for a few days and then on to a FMCA rally in Coos Bay. So we will be traveling right past Cape Blanco. I had hoped we could stop and say “Hi” but it looks like you do not start until July. Darn… Oh Well… We will keep reading and perhaps our paths may pass in the future
Oh bummer…a close miss!! We’ll be in Tugman State Park the middle of June followed by Bullards Beach SP and Harris SP thereafter. Maybe one of those dates align?
Nina
To funny, I did a search on all 3 of the SP you have listed above and we are going to be all around them. We leave Calif. on June 17th staying the night (somewhere) and then going to Florance Or. ELKS which will be above Tugman SP. Leaving there June 19th driving right by Tugman on the way to Coos Bay for a FMCA rally, then June 24th we will drive back north to Florance OR. Then after that heading back south retuning to Calif…… Past you guys again. I’ll keep following your blog and maybe we will see if we can stop somewhere and say Hello. I would like to ask do you have any plans on going to Alaska? Say in 2014… LoL.. Love your Blog and your writing.
Well we’ll be just south of you in Bullards Beach SP from 18th to 25th, right in the middle of your rally. Don’t know if you’ll have time to visit during that period, but if you do let me know. I will e-mail you our phone # just in case. After that we’ll spend 4 nights at the very southern tip of OR at Harris Beach before we drive back up to Cape Blanco.
As for Alaska…well it’s definitely on our list and we’d talked about possibly doing it around 2014, believe it or not. Still very tentative plans, but I’ll write about it on the blog if we do.
Nina
Congrats. Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Have fun!
Love Eugene and the photos of Armitage, though hear it’s raining Ducks! Cape Blanco will be a perfect workamping spot. Congrats!
It is TOTALLY raining Ducks here…in all ways 🙂
Nina
This is my new mantra: Let it be easy. So far, nothing’s happening, but it’s easy.
Congrats, on workampimg, Im sure we will learn from your blogs about that kind of working. Too bad Cape Blanco is not in our route in Jul and Aug as we will still be in Alaska at that time. We are always looking forward to your blogs.
Ooooo…Alaska. SHould be FABULOUS! We went backpacking in Alaska many years ago, but still haven’t (yet) taken the rig up there. It’s on our list of plans!
Nina
Wow you guys are really adventurous ! Were you blogging then ? Your blog would have been one of our source of info. We are hanging out at Dawson Creek since the southern part of the Alaska highway(Yukon Territory) is closed due to landslides. ..so the adventure has begun.
No…I wasn’t blogging then. I kind of wish I had been since it really helps to capture the moment. Do have alot of really nice shots. We spent 2 weeks out in the wilds (we were dropped in by plane) and totally enjoyed it.
Nina
I let you know when we get our 40 ft Dynasty in. Boss called and said he made it 5.5 miles in, before the snow in the road made him turn around. Talked to a ranger who said the last two miles
will require slow driving, but he’s seen rigs like ours in there. Will be there till @ Sept 15 and would love to see you guys. If not we’ll be at he Albequerqe balloon festival if you are in that area.
Think the comment might have been meant for a different post? Where are you guys at the moment?
Nina
So will you be working for OR State Parks, or BLM? If the latter, where do they put you up?
We’ll be working for OR state parks and they have dedicated host sites at Cape Blanco SP.